Pick Me Up! 09-Mar-2017

What A Pain! I had a power cut at home this morning. It was impossible to get ready for work. You forget just how much you rely on electricity for everything! 40 …that’s how many years it’s been since Elvis died. I’m going to Memphis this year, so I’ll be visiting Graceland to check out the special displays they’ll have up for him. What A Surprise! Who knew?! Check out these 13 foods you probably didn’t realise you could freeze on www. lifedeathprizes. com What A Bargain! We bought 1980s Trivial Pursuit in a charity shop for the bargain price of £3. Such fun, we’re getting the 90s one, too! What A Laugh! I went to a Prince and David…

My daughter Alissa loves playing with this laundry basket. If only I could train her to use it for its actual purpose! Emma Dowler, Knutsford ’Ave a giraffe! Here I am on a day out at Knowsley Safari Park in, getting close to a beautiful giraffe eating his tea. Sioned Roberts, Walton Look who I met! While waiting for a train, I ran into the lovely Calum Best. He was friendly as well as gorgeous! Ali Williams, Anfield Too hot to handle These hot and hunky firemen certainly made my trip to New York sizzle! Karen Gomersall, Newent Cluck at them! Meet my grandkids’ best feathered friend, Mrs Clucky, who lives next door. Alvi and Jasper love it when she comes round to play. Brita Bevis, Sleaford Just chillin’ I…

‘He’d tell me who to be friends with, what I could wear’ ‘Each flick of the lighter made me quiver with fright’ Unlocking the front door, I stepped inside and froze. The place looked different. Furniture had been switched around, ornaments moved, chairs dragged to different positions... ‘Not again,’ I sighed, annoyed. This was my husband George’s doing. ‘You’ve been gone ages!’ he raged. ‘I’m sorry,’ I replied. ‘There was a queue at the supermarket.’ I’d only been gone half an hour, but George wasn’t happy about it. He didn’t like me going out without him. And on the rare occasions I did, he’d time me. If I was too long, he’d make a huge mess of the house and change things around. In a ridiculous way, he thought…

‘We couldn’t wait to share our exciting news’ ‘I saw a huge grin spread across Kevin’s face’ Sitting at my desk, I suddenly felt queasy. I dashed to the loo and threw up my breakfast. ‘Maybe you’re pregnant,’ a colleague joked when I returned, looking pale-faced. I laughed, but I was thinking the same. My hubby Kevin, 38, and I had been trying for a baby for ages. He’d previously suffered colon cancer and, although he had made a full recovery, we were warned that the treatment could mean it took us longer to conceive. Three years later, and still no baby, I was starting to fret. So I took an early lunch and dashed home. I was sure I had a pregnancy test in the bathroom cupboard. Finally,…

Instead of buying expensive propagators, I find that an old egg box on the kitchen window is just as good for growing seeds. Try it this spring! Carole Casan, Tiverton Cut your carrots into small batons instead of rounds and they’ll cook much quicker and more evenly! Paul Baldwin, Leeds Baby wipes will bring a new shine to your carpet, turning the gloom into bloom. It’ll also save you from having to buy a new carpet! Marion Aldred, London Instead of buying a whiteboard to teach my daughter her letters and numbers, I took an old white plate, some washable felt-tip pens and a damp cloth. You can wipe it clean when you’re finished and it won’t cost you anything. Stacy Gibson, Kidderminster Brighten up a boring old picture frame…

1 Boozy bloom Adding a teaspoon of sugar and a few drops of vodka to your vase of flowers will delay wilting and keep them looking flawless for much longer. Maria Merton, Portland 2 Ice Is Nice Water your orchids by placing an ice cube on the soil at the base. The ice will melt slowly, giving the orchid a slow drip of hydration so it won’t drown by being over-watered. Linda Bartlett, Thorne 3 The Power Of A Penny Drop a penny into your vase to keep the water fresher for longer, and it’ll prevent fungus or bacteria from growing. Sandra Crawford, Ripon 4 A Cut Above  Cut your flower stems at a 45-degree angle an inch from the bottom as it’ll allow for more water intake, keeping the…